Process of bleaching tobacco



Patented Nov. 28-, 1922.-

UNITED STATES new,

ALWIN DELLING, 0F NORDHAUSEN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 AUGUST WASMUTI-I AND ONE-FOURTH TO JOHN HUPPERTZ, BOTH OF HAIIIBUEG. GER- MANY.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. ALWIN DELLING, or Nordhausen, Germany. a merchant and a citizen of the German Republic, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Processes of Bleaching Tobacco, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved process of bleaching tobacco, for the purpose of imparting to the darker sorts of leaf the'lighter hue demanded by popular taste.

According to the invention the leaf is subjected to two treatments, first with hydrogen peroxide alone, and then with hydrogen peroxide in conjunction with a suitable acid, the latter treatment producing an acid reaction.

Bleaching effected with hydrogen peroxide alone is not permanent. The leaf gradually resumes a darker hue, returning more or less to its original color. This lack of permanency is obviated by the second treatment with an acidulated solution of hydrogen peroxide. The acids best suited to the purpose are organic acids, for example citric acid, but other acids, for example nitric acid may be used.

Sumatra and Java tobaccos are particularly adapted for treatment by the process.

The following is an example of the manner of carrying the process into effect.

1.75 kg. of tobacco are treated for 36 hours with 5 kg. of an aqueous solution containing 12% by volume of hydrogen peroxide.

PROCESS OF BLEACHING TOBACCO.

Application filed June 1, 1920. Serial No. 385,872.

The leaf thus treated is rinsed with water and then treated for 12 hours with 5 kg. of

an aqueous solution containing 12% by volume of hydrogen peroxide and 0.1% by volume of tartaric acid. The treatment takes place at normal air temperature.

WVhat I claim as my invention and desire alone and then treating it with an acidulated aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide.

2. The process of bleaching tobacco leaf which consists in first treating the leaf with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide alone and then treating it with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide acidulated with an organic acid.

3. The herein described process of bleaching tobacco leaf consisting in first treating the leaf with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, then rinsing the leaf with water; then treating the leaf with an acidulated aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide.

In witness whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

ALWIN DELLING. 

